Sexual Assault Awareness Week 2022

Sexual Assault Awareness Week is Monday, January 24 to Friday, January 28, 2022 at Carleton University. The Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities along with campus and community partners will be hosting a variety of events and workshops for you to attend virtually throughout the week!

Through these various events, we aim to engage and challenge the Carleton community to have conversations about sexual violence and its impact on campus while raising awareness about the realities of those who are disproportionality impacted. We invite you to share your story and listen to the stories of others, to build a deeper understanding of the lasting impact these experiences have, and to learn how to be a supportive member of our Carleton community.

In addition to our events listed below, all week long, through our social media campaign, you will be able to learn about definitions, tips and tricks, helpful mainstream media resources and community resources just by visiting the Sexual Assault Support Centre Instagram page!

Monday, January 24, 2022

• • Expressions of Empowerment: Virtual Art Exhibit: visit the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities website for more details.

Expressions of Empowerment provides a platform for members of the Carleton community to use art to share stories, messages and interpretations that reflect themes of violence, gender, consent and healing. You are invited to explore these art pieces that have been created to share stories and spark urgent discussion surrounding sexual violence on campus. These pieces of art bring awareness to the topic of gender-based violence, and act as a tool to highlight the impact or the journey of healing.

• • Queering Sexual Assault Awareness – Instagram Live: Instagram @cusasc at 4:30 p.m.

A conversation to explore the ways in which the LGBTQ2SI+ community is disproportionally impacted by sexual violence. Facilitated by Kristina Epifano from Carleton’s Sexual Assault Support Centre and Beau Welter, Trauma and Sexual Violence Counsellor.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

• • De-Stress and Journal with Hana Shafi (@Frizzkidart): 3:00 p.m. on Zoom

Journaling and writing can be therapeutic, but not knowing how or where to start can be a big roadblock. Sit back and allow Hana Shafi (@Frizzkidart) to guide you through some prompts as she leads us through this creative writing session.

Visit the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities website for more details.

• We Heal Together Presents: Seeds Yoga with Yamikani – A practice of centering care and ancestral connections: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Zoom

Join Yamikani for a practice of centering care and ancestral connections for Black Carleton & X University community.

SEEDS is a yoga class specifically designed for survivors/victims/those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. This yoga class is grounded in trauma-informed/healing-centred yoga practices that seek to empower the participants using different yoga forms. The class focuses on three main themes community care, (em)powerment and consent. Visit Yamikani’s website to learn more.

Visit the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities website for more details.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

• Connecting with Care: Peer Support Groups for Survivors: Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Zoom (begins Wednesday, January 26)

Join us for our 10-week peer support group where students will be invited to share and support each other through facilitated discussions. Occurring weekly on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., you are invited to share as much or as little as you are comfortable with. The support groups are open to women, trans women and non-binary Carleton University students and will be facilitated by the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa.

Email equity@carleton.ca to register.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

• Me, Myself and I: Survivor Workshop: 7:00 p.m. – virtual

Join CUSA Womxn’s Centre and Project Agape for a workshop focusing on exploring pleasure after trauma. Led by a sexual health educator, the survivor will work through taking back control of their bodies and their trauma.

Visit the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities website for more details.

• Keynote: Stories Spark Change: Roxane Gay in Conversation with Eternity Martis: 6:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom

Join internationally renowned author Roxane Gay and best-selling author Eternity Martis for an in-depth conversation about how we can address how we police ourselves as survivors to reclaim our story and push back against shame to create space for healing. As survivors, we may internalize the lie that our pleasure, needs and healing are too much of a burden. Stories Spark Change is an opportunity to explore letting go of guilt and blame, knowing that sexual violence is never our fault. This night will be a celebration of healing, self-love and pleasure.

Stories Spark Change organizing committee: Ryerson University, Laurier University, Carleton University, Queen’s University, McMaster University, University of Guelph, University of Windsor, University of Toronto, York University.

Register for the event here.

Friday, January 28, 2022

• Virtual Teaching with Elder Barbara Dumont Hill:10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. online

Join the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives for two events in collaboration with Sexual Assault Awareness Week. From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. students are invited to attend virtual teachings with our in-house Elder Barbara Dumont Hill. Barbara will share some of her personal life experiences, discuss the path towards healing and share a drum song of strength and power. These events are only open to individuals who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations (Status/Non-status), Metis & Inuit).

Email indigenous@carleton.ca to register.

• Come Bead with Me: Peyote Stitch: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. online

Join the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives for two events in collaboration with Sexual Assault Awareness Week. “Come Bead with Me: Peyote Stitch” will walk you through how to bead a peyote stitch keychain. Learn the art of beading as self-care and connect with other Indigenous students. Beading and self-care kits will be mailed out to those who pre-register by email. These events are only open to individuals who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations (Status/Non-status), Metis & Inuit).

Support Services

If you need support or would like to learn more, Carleton University’s Sexual Assault Support Centre (CUSASC) remains open for virtual and phone appointments, as well as peer support through our text/chat service. The centre is a survivor-centered space where those who have experienced sexual violence, on or off-campus, can receive support, academic accommodations and referrals to resources located both on and off campus. Our text/chat service is anonymous and free for all members of the community, you can connect with a trained peer support volunteer online or by texting 613-209-1142. If you’d like to connect with a staff member, you can email Kristina Epifano. We believe you, we see you and we are here to support you.

Other resources available on and off-campus include:

• Centre for Indigenous Initiatives
• CUSA Womxn’s Centre
• CUSA Gender and Sexuality Resources Centre
• SASC Ottawa
• Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre

Thursday, January 20, 2022 in 360, Academic, Campus Life, News, online, Wellness
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